People need resources and services from the ocean. But are we using them in a way that can continue into the future?

The Ocean Health Index identifies people as part of a human-ocean ecosystem. The Index is the first assessment tool that scientifically measures key elements from all dimensions of the ocean’s health — biological, physical, economic and social — to assess​ how sustainably people are using the ocean. More than 65 scientists and partners worked together to develop the Index, which provides an annual assessment of ocean health using information from over 100 scientific databases.

Our role

Conservation International is a founding partner of the Ocean Health Index and serves as the managing partner. We work to update scientific methodology with the latest techniques, produce annual updates and work with governments and universities to apply the Index on a regional or local scale.

Our plan

Providing a universal standard for year-over-year comparison, the Ocean Health Index informs communities, governments and scientists about the current state of ocean health and serves as a tool to inform policy decisions about ocean management. The Index calculates baseline scores for countries and territories and is updated annually to measure progress on 10 human goals: food provision, artisanal fishing opportunities, natural products, carbon storage, coastal protection, livelihoods and economies, tourism and recreation, sense of place, clean waters and biodiversity.

The ocean is our most valuable asset. More than 1 billion people depend on fish for their basic protein; 350 million jobs worldwide depend on the marine sector; 25% of marine mammals face some threat of extinction; and less than 3% of the ocean is designated as a marine protected area.

With the Ocean Health Index, we are charting new territory in assessing ocean health and how it benefits people both socially and economically. The fragile ocean system is threatened by the growing needs of people. Through informed management, we can regain an ocean that provides the resources and services we need now and in the future. The Index informs that management with a scientific report card.